Blind Veteran Stoney B Blues Delights Crowd at Vietnam War Veterans Day Event

This blues performer has been on stage for 56 years and it shows. In his short set on Friday, he got the crowd going and the blues rolling. One interesting thing about Stoney B Blues? He's been blind for the last six years. Though he had a rough time with this transition after glaucoma surgery, you'd never know of his condition. He's gotten treatment here at the Maj. Charles Robert Soltes, Jr. Blind Rehabilitation Center at Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, a premiere facility in VA. His treatment has consisted of two three-week stints of training consisting of a number of trainings to help him adapt and overcome his condition.

In Visual Skills, Veterans learn how to take advantage of what remaining vision they have and train on appropriate optical aids such as tints, magnifiers, lighting, etc. Stoney was able to learn more about his ocular condition, learned how to use a magnifier and OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to spot read printed material and complete writing tasks, and remediate glare sensitivity with the help of proper tints and task lighting. 

In Orientation and Mobility, Veterans learn how to safely navigate their surroundings and negotiate obstacles in their path with the help of mobility aids such as a long cane, support cane, rollator walker, etc. In his case, Stoney learned how to use a white cane to assist him in his travels especially since he's always out performing the blues. 

In Living Skills, Veterans learn how to manage tasks at home. Stoney completed simple food preparation, money management, labeling techniques, and organization using a digital recorder.

In Manual Skills, Veterans are trained to apply adaptive techniques for basic home repair and safety as well as craft work. Stoney received training on a talking tape measure and completed a leather project as well as glaze ceramics.

In the Accessible iPhone training, Veterans learn how to navigate use of accessibility features on the iPhone in order to communicate with their support system and social circles. Stoney continues to learn more about how to use VoiceOver/Siri to primarily place and receive calls/texts, store contact information, and retrieve voicemail.

Thanks to the staff at Maj. Charles Robert Soltes, Jr. Blind Rehabilitation Center at Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, Stoney B Blues is able to continue his passion for singin' the blues and wowing us all.

If you are a Veteran with visual impairment or know any Veteran with visual impairment, please contact your nearest Veterans Affairs and get in touch with their Low Vision Optometry clinic and/or the Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Coordinator program.  VIST Coordinators are lifelong case managers for visually impaired Veterans and support blind and low vision rehabilitation services to maximize Veterans independence and well-being. For more information about services for blind and visually impaired Veterans and Service members, please visit the Blind Rehabilitation Services (BRS)  for eligibility and contact information.

We thank all of our Active-Duty Service members and Veterans for their service to our nation.  If you know a Veteran or servicemember who is visually impaired or blind and in need of training, please contact your local Veterans Affairs.